On-Die Termination of Address and Command Signals

ABSTRACT

A memory controller is disclosed. The memory controller is configured to be connected to one or more memory devices via an address and control (RQ) bus. Each of the memory devices have on-die termination (ODT) circuitry connected to a subset of signal lines of the RQ bus, and the memory controller is operable to selectively disable the ODT circuitry in at least one memory device of the one or more memory devices.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/519,908, filed Jun. 18, 2009, which is a United States National stageapplication filed under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT Patent Application SerialNo. PCT/US2007/088245, filed Dec. 19, 2007, which claims the benefit ofand priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/876,672, filedDec. 21, 2006, which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to the field of semiconductor memoriesand memory systems.

BACKGROUND

High-speed, readily-expandable memory systems consisting of groups ofmemory devices or modules are commonly used to store data in computersand other electronic devices. Bits of data are typically stored insemiconductor memory cells on the memory device, with the data beingtransmitted along data signals lines or data bus connected to the memorymodules. To avoid undesirable signal reflections on the data bus, thememory device typically includes some sort of termination circuitry forthe data bus lines.

So-called “fly-by” memory modules topologies are being increasingly usedfor DRAM memory module applications. “Fly-by” memory modules can beterminated either at the hosting motherboard or at the module itselfThis scheme often uses extra printed circuit board (PCB) area devoted totermination of the command, address, and control signals (i.e., “RQ”signal or bus lines) on each module in the system, resulting in lessarea being available for DRAM packages. Also typical memory systemsexpend significant power for the command, address, and control signals

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood more fully from the detaileddescription that follows and from the accompanying drawings, whichhowever, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specificembodiments shown, but are for explanation and understanding only.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example memory system with memory devices thatemploy ODT circuitry.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are example ODT circuits that may be used in the memorysystem of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method of operation for the memory systemof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example memory module with ODT circuitry thatprovides multiple termination impedance values.

FIG. 5 is a table that illustrates example termination impedance valuescorresponding to various input pin logic levels for the memory moduleshown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example memory system with memory modulesthat employ ODT circuitry.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description specific details are set forth, such asdevice types, system and circuit configurations, component values,signaling methods, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthe disclosure herein. However, persons having ordinary skill in therelevant arts will appreciate that these specific details may not beneeded to practice the embodiments described.

In the context of the present application, a memory “module” refers toan assembly of memory chips or devices (i.e., semiconductor dies)arranged on a substrate or printed circuit board (PCB) in associationwith a memory system. A memory module may thus be considered a memorysubsystem. The term “data bus” is used throughout to denote data (DQ)signal lines, timing reference signals, and data masking control bits(DM) by which data is communicated to one or more memory modules.Similarly, the term “address/command bus” is used herein to denote thesignal lines that carry command, address and control (RQ or CAC)information for communications between a memory controller and one ormore memory modules. The term “memory controller”, as used herein,refers to a broad class of generic and application-specific processingdevices that are capable of reading data from, and writing data to, oneor more memory modules.

In accordance with one embodiment, each memory device or module of amemory system arranged in a fly-by connection topology includes ODTcircuitry for selectively terminating one or more of the RQ signallines. The RQ signals comprise the command, address, control, and clocksignals that may be used to write data to the individual memory cells ofthe modules, and also to read data stored therein. In a typicalconfiguration, the last device of every module connected to the RQ bushas one or more RQ lines terminated by connecting an ODT enable pin tothe appropriate voltage supply rail of the device or module.

Other embodiments may also utilize register control, either as anoverride, or as a replacement, for the enable pin configuration method.For example, in one embodiment register fields may be utilized tooverride the RQ ODT enable. In a specific implementation, a register bitmay allow the clock lines to be discretely terminated on the device ormodule, while the RQ signals (or a subset thereof) are terminated withODT circuitry.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example memory module 10 comprising a plurality ofDDR3 memory devices 11 arranged in a fly-by (also known as a multi-drop)connection topology, each of the memory devices comprising a singlesemiconductor chip or die that includes ODT circuitry 12. For example,FIG. 1 shows 16 memory devices 11 a-p, each with a respective ODTcircuit 12 a-p that may be utilized to selectively terminate any or allof the RQ signal lines on RQ bus 14. Each of memory devices 11 alsoincludes an ODT termination pin 15, which is tied to either VDDQ or VSSQin the module layout, depending on the device's location on RQ bus 14.By way of example, FIG. 1 illustrates ODT circuit 12 p of the lastmemory device (i.e., device 11 p) on RQ bus 14 being enabled byconnection of ODT termination pin 15 p to the positive voltage supplyrail, VDDQ. The remaining ODT circuits 12 a-o are shown having theirrespective ODT termination pins 15 a-o connected to the negative voltagesupply rail, VSSQ, which disables termination on devices 11 a-o.

It is appreciated that the last device (i.e., device 11 p) is the oneelectrically furthest from the memory controller 18. In the fly-by (ormulti-drop) connection topology, each control and address (CA) signal isrouted from a controller pin to a pin on each DRAM device. Thepropagation time from the controller to each memory device is differentdepending on the physical position of the memory device in the module.In the example of FIG. 1, device 11 p is the last memory device in thetopology, and therefore experiences the longest CA signal propagationtime. It is appreciated that chip select (CS) signals may also be routedwith the same fly-by connection topology as the CA signals in theexample memory module of FIG. 1.

Memory controller 18 is shown driving the signal lines of bus 14, aswell as driving a control / address ODT signal line 16 (labeled “CAODT”)connected to ODT circuit 12 p. The CAODT control signal pin may beutilized to actively enable and disable a subset (or all) of the RQsignal line terminations. For instance, CAODT pin 16 may be activelydriven by memory controller 18 to enable or disable ODT circuit 12 p atcertain times depending on the transactions been performed in memorysystem 10. By way of example, when memory controller 18 drives CAODT pin16 to a logical high level (e.g., VDDQ), ODT circuit 12 p is enabled orturned on, such that the impedance for a subset (or all) of the signalsat the end of RQ bus 14 is set to a predetermined value. The timing forenabling and disabling the ODT circuitry on the RQ signal lines may bethe same is that for the data group signal lines.

Practitioners in the art will appreciate that the impedance value of thetermination may be determined by signal integrity studies, and may bedifferent for different “classes” of signals. For example, the chipselect signal lines may have a different impedance value as compared tothe address signal lines. In the case where memory controller 18 drivesCAODT pin 16 to a logical low level (e.g., VSSQ), ODT circuit 12 p isdisabled or turned off, e.g., a high impedance value for the signallines terminating at the end of RQ bus 14. It should be furtherunderstood that CAODT signal line 16 may be included on RQ bus 14.

In one embodiment, a subset of the RQ signals is terminated at all timesby ODT circuit 12 p in device 11 p. The RQ signals that are terminatedat all times include the external clock signals (CK/CKN) and the chipreset signal (RESETN). In the example of FIG. 1, the subset of the RQsignals on bus 14 that are not terminated, unless memory locations indevice 11 p are being immediately addressed, include the address lines(A[15:0]); bank address (BA[2:0]); chip select (CS[3:0]); clock enable(CKE); row address strobe (RASN); column address strobe (CASN); andwrite enable (WEN). The termination circuits for these latter signallines may be dynamically controlled by CAODT pin 16. In other words, theforegoing subset of signal lines may be dynamically controlled such thatthe impedance value at the end of the RQ bus for these signals dependsupon the operations being performed. Termination is normally disabledfor non-addressed devices.

Practitioners in the art will appreciate that dynamically controlling(enabling/disabling) the termination at the end of the RQ bus for asubset of signal provides a significant power saving advantage. In oneimplementation, for example, disabling the termination on most of the RQpins during extended idle times on the RQ bus, or while in a power-downmode, may save about 300 mW per memory device.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example ODT circuit 20 that may be used in thememory system of FIG. 1. ODT circuit 20 comprises a switch 24 coupled inseries with resistor 21 between positive voltage supply rail VDDQ andsignal line termination node 23. Similarly, a resistor 32 and switch 25are coupled in series between node 23 and negative supply voltage railVSSQ. (It is appreciated that switches 24 & 25 may also be locatedbetween node 23 and respective resistors 21 & 32.) The signal line has acharacteristic impedance shown by element 28 driven by a driver 29associated with the memory controller. Both resistors 21 and 32 areshown having the same resistance value, R, such that when both switches24 & 25 are closed the equivalent resistance terminating the signal lineis R/2, with the voltage at node 23 being (VDDQ-VSSQ)/2. With switches24 & 25 both open, termination is off (e.g., high impedance). Consistentwith the example of FIG. 1, switches 24 & 25 may both be simultaneouslycontrolled by CAODT pin 16.

FIG. 2B illustrates another example ODT circuit 30 that may be used inthe memory system of FIG. 1 to achieve dynamic termination with multipleimpedance values. ODT circuit 30 resembles the ODT circuit of FIG. 2A,except with three parallel arranged circuit legs. Each leg comprises aswitch 34 coupled in series with a resistor 31 between VDDQ and signalline termination node 33. Each leg also includes a resistor 42 andswitch 35 coupled in series between node 33 and VSSQ. Resistors 31 a &42 a have a resistance R; resistors 31 b & 42 b have a resistance R/2;and resistors 31 c & 42 c have a resistance R/4.

Switches 34 and 35 of may be selectively opened/closed in order toimplement various different termination impedance values applied todifferent command, control, and address signals of selected memorydevices. For instance, in one embodiment, the termination impedance of asignal line may be selected to be “strong” by closing of all of switches34 & 35, “weak” by closing only switches 34 a, 34 b, 35 a and 35 b, or“off” by leaving all of switches 34 & 35 open, depending on signalintegrity considerations. In the example of FIG. 2B the characteristicimpedance is shown by element 38, with the signal line being driven by adriver 39 associated with the memory controller. Switches 34 & 35 ineach leg may both be simultaneously controlled by a different CAODT pinor bit value in a register field.

In a specific embodiment, multi-value RQ termination is supported formemory device by selecting different values of address, control, andcommand signal line termination impedance to be employed. For instance,multi-value RQ termination may be controlled by three different registerfields. A first register field may be used to set an alternate value oftermination to be used, while a second register field determines how thealternate value is enabled. A third register field may be used to set anominal impedance to be used for termination. According to one method ofcontrol, the CAODT control pin selects the nominal value of impedancewhen driven high, and the alternate value of impedance when driven low.

A second method of controlling/selecting multiple termination values foran RQ signal line utilizes the CAODT control pin and an ALTCAODT controlpin. FIG. 4 illustrates an example memory device 11 with ODT circuitry12 that provides for multiple termination impedance values using theCAODT and an ALTCAODT control pins. FIG. 5 is a table that illustratesexample termination impedance values corresponding to various input pinlogic levels for the memory device shown in FIG. 4. As can be seen, whenCAODTEN is high (enabled), a logical high value applied to the CAODTcontrol pin enables a nominal impedance value. On the other hand, whenALTCAODT is high, the alternate impedance value is enabled. When CAODTENand ALTCAODT are both low, termination is off (i.e., a high impedancestate).

It is appreciated that in another embodiment the CAODTEN pin may becontrolled via a configuration bit. Setting of the configuration bit to“1”, for example, may be equivalent to statically enabling the addresson the termination, i.e., hard-tying the CAODTEN pin high.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example method of operation for the memory systemof FIG. 1. The process begins at block 41, wherein prior to addressing aselected memory device the termination value of selected RQ lines isenabled for the selected memory device. It is appreciated that, incertain situations, termination values may be enabled for more than onedevice. For instance, depending where the addressed device iselectrically located on the RQ bus, it may be appropriate to disabletermination on the addressed device, while simultaneously enablingtermination on an adjacent device, in order to achieve optimal signalintegrity. In other words, termination of the individual RQ signal linesmay be dynamically controlled by the memory controller rather than beingstatically enabled. Furthermore, in certain cases, termination mayspecifically be disabled in instances where the terminated device isbeing addressed and enabled when it is not being addressed. In stillother situations, termination may be enabled except during full bus idleconditions or power down states. In other embodiments, each of thememory devices arranged in the fly-by topology may have terminationenabled with respect to the RQ signal lines, with the terminationimpedance value changing during addressing of specific devices.

Once the appropriate termination values have been applied to a subset(or all) of RQ signal lines on the selected memory device(s), the RQlines may be driven to the appropriate voltage levels for addressing thememory locations within the device (block 42). After data has beenwritten/read from the addressed location, termination is disabled forthe subset of RQ lines at the specified device(s) (block 43). Asdiscussed previously, disabling termination has the salutary effect ofreducing quiescent power consumption in the memory system.

FIG. 6 illustrates another example memory system 59 with four memorymodules 60 a-60 d, each module comprising a plurality of memory devices(e.g., DRAM chips) 61. Each of the memory devices 61 include ODTcircuitry 62, with each of the memory devices of the modules beingcoupled with a memory controller 68. As in the case of the example ofFIG. 1, the respective ODT circuits 62 of memory devices 61 may beutilized to selectively terminate any or all of the RQ signal lines onRQ bus 64. In this example, the RQ bus lines are shown coupled with thememory devices of each module in a stub bus connection topology. In thestub bus connection topology the RQ lines are routed to each module bysplitting off of a main bus. In this embodiment, the RQ signals aresplit off of the main bus and then routed onto each individual module.After being routed past each individual DRAM in a “fly-by” topology, theRQ signals are then optionally terminated by the memory device farthest(electrically) from the controller.

Each of memory devices 61 of each module 60 also includes an ODTtermination on/off pin 65, which is tied to either VDD or VSS in themodule layout, depending on the location of the device in the module.Tying termination pin 65 to VDD enables termination for that device.Conversely, tying pin 65 low to VSS disables termination at that device.In the example of FIG. 6, only the ODT circuit 62 p of the last memorydevice 61 p in each memory module 60 is enabled by connection of ODTtermination pin 65 p to the positive voltage supply rail, VDD. Theremaining ODT circuits 62 a-o of the other memory devices 61 on each ofmodules 60 a-60 d have their respective ODT termination pins 65connected to the negative voltage supply rail, VSS, which disablestermination on those devices.

A termination impedance value for each device 61 p of modules 60 a-60 dmay be selected via CAODT pins 66 a-66 d, respectively. For example, theODT circuitry may be configured such that raising CAODT pin 66 to a highvoltage potential (logical “1”) result in a nominal terminationimpedance, whereas lowering pin 66 to a logical “0” voltage produces analternate (or high) impedance at that device. Multiple CAODT pins (e.g.,CAODT & ALTCAODT) for each device may be utilized for setting a varietyof different termination impedance values at devices 62 p.

In the same manner as described in conjunction with FIG. 1, memorycontroller 68 may be utilized to actively drive all, or a subset, of theRQ signal lines of bus 64, as well as driving CAODT signal lines 66 a-66d connected to ODT circuits 62 p of respective modules 60 a-60 d. CAODTpin 66 may thus be used to selectively enable or disable ODT circuit 61p of a selected module at certain times depending on the transactionsbeing performed in memory system 59. For example, when a writetransaction is initiated to module 60 d, the termination on modules 60a-c may be enabled to eliminate reflections from those trace stubs. Thetermination on module 60 d may remain disabled in order to allow a fullsignal swing on that module. Similarly, where the termination circuitryon devices 61 supports multiple values of termination impedance, a writeoperation to module 60 d may be best achieved having a “strong”termination enabled in modules 60 a-c (e.g. low impedance) while module60 d has a “weak” termination (e.g. higher impedance) enabled. Inanother example, the termination on module 60 d may be enabled on awrite to module 60 d, while the terminations on all other modules aredisabled. In still another example, a write to module 60 d may be bestachieved by having modules 60 a-c “weakly” terminated (e.g. highimpedance), while enabling a “strong” termination (e.g. lower impedance)on module 60 d.

In another embodiment, termination of the last device of each of aplurality of memory modules may be implemented utilizing a terminationcomponent device (or several devices) separate from the memory chips andactively controlled by memory controller 68.

It is also appreciated that the foregoing termination examples areapplicable to buffered memory systems configured with a single buffer oneach module or multiple buffers paired with one or more memory devicesin a fly-by fashion.

In still another embodiment, instead of employing the “stub bus” routingscheme shown in FIG. 6, a “serpentine” routing scheme may be used inwhich the address lines are routed onto and off of each module in turn.In this latter connection topology, only the ODT circuit of the lastmemory device of the last memory module is enabled.

It should be understood that elements of the present invention may alsobe provided as a computer program product which may include amachine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which may beused to program a computer (e.g., a processor or other electronicdevice) to perform a sequence of operations. Alternatively, theoperations may be performed by a combination of hardware and software.The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, floppydiskettes, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magneto-optical disks, ROMs,RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnet or optical cards, propagation media orother type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storingelectronic instructions. For example, elements of the present inventionmay be downloaded as a computer program product, wherein the program maybe transferred from a remote computer or telephonic device to arequesting process by way of data signals embodied in a carrier wave orother propagation medium via a communication link (e.g., a modem ornetwork connection).

Additionally, although the present invention has been described inconjunction with specific embodiments, numerous modifications andalterations are well within the scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

We claim:
 1. A memory controller configured to be connected to one ormore memory devices via an address and control (RQ) bus, wherein: eachof the memory devices have on-die termination (ODT) circuitry connectedto a subset of signal lines of the RQ bus; and the memory controller isoperable to selectively disable the ODT circuitry in at least one memorydevice of the one or more memory devices.
 2. The controller of claim 1,wherein the memory controller is further operable to selectively enablethe ODT circuitry in at least one memory device of the one or morememory devices.
 3. The controller of claim 2, wherein the one or morememory devices comprises a plurality of memory devices; and the memorycontroller is further configured to simultaneously enable respective ODTcircuitry in a first subset of the plurality of memory devices anddisable respective ODT circuitry in a second subset of the plurality ofmemory devices.
 4. The controller of claim 1, wherein: the RQ buscomprises control and address ODT (CAODT) signal lines; and the memorycontroller selectively disables the ODT circuitry via the CAODT signallines.
 5. The controller of claim 1, wherein the one or more memorydevices are arranged in a fly-by topology.
 6. The controller of claim 1,wherein the ODT circuitry comprises a plurality of identical circuitsand each of the identical circuits are connected to a corresponding oneof the subset of signal lines.
 7. The controller of claim 1, whereinselectively disabling a respective ODT circuitry includes selectivelydisabling termination of a subset of the respective signal lines.
 8. Thecontroller of claim 7, wherein the subset of the respective signal linesselectively disabled by the memory controller excludes clock signallines.
 9. The controller of claim 7, wherein the subset of therespective signal lines selectively disabled by the memory controllerincludes address and bank address signal lines.
 10. The controller ofclaim 7, wherein the subset of the respective signal lines selectivelydisabled by the memory controller includes row address strobe, columnaddress strobe, and write enable signal lines.
 11. The controller ofclaim 1, wherein the selectively disabled ODT circuitry consumesessentially zero power.
 12. The controller of claim 1, further operableto selectively terminate the subset of signal lines in the one or morememory devices with one of a plurality of different impedance values.13. The controller of claim 12, wherein the plurality of differentimpedance values includes a nominal impedance value, an alternateimpedance value, and a high impedance value, wherein the high impedancevalue corresponds to a disabled termination.
 14. The controller of claim12, wherein the memory controller is further configured to drive signalson the RQ bus after selectively terminating the subset of the signallines with one of the plurality of different impedance values.
 15. Thecontroller of claim 12, further configured to selectively terminate thesubset of signal lines in the one or more memory devices with one of theplurality of different impedance values by driving control signals on aplurality of ODT control lines.
 16. The controller of claim 1, whereinthe signal lines of the RQ bus include command and clock signal lines,and the memory controller is configured to drive all or a subset of thesignal lines of the RQ bus.
 17. The controller of claim 1, furtheroperable to control one or more termination devices separate from theone or more memory devices.
 18. The controller of claim 1, furtherconfigured to selectively enable termination of a subset of signal linesin the RQ bus in accordance with memory operations performed by thememory controller.
 19. The controller of claim 1, further configured toselectively disable the ODT circuitry based on one or more operationscurrently being performed on the one or more memory devices.
 20. Thecontroller of claim 1, wherein the ODT circuitry includes a plurality ofparallel circuit legs, each respective circuit leg comprising a firstswitch coupled in series with a first resistor between a first powerrail and a signal line termination node and a second switch coupled inseries with a second resistor between a second power rail and the signalline termination node; and the memory controller is further configuredto control the operation of the first switch and the second switch.